One does not ‘cooperate’ with state or federal (or even for that matter, local) laws. One complies with laws. One can cooperate with state or federal law-enforcement officials. Copyright holders angrily waving dubious DMCA subpoenas are not “Law Enforcement Officials” despite all protestations to the contrary. As a civil litigant, they have to follow a defined discovery process if wish to obtain information.

Also, please note that you are not required to comply with state laws for states in which you do not manifest a physical presence.

It is interesting that the copyrighted work in question is industry specific training film, published by a firm in the transportation industry that derives very little, if any, of it’s income from intellectual property.

It would appear that American Airlines is pursuing this matter in an effort to identify errant employees who violated a company rule (likely having nothing to do with copyright) for subsequent disciplinary sanctions. It is highly unlikely that American Airlines suffered (or could provide credible evidence of) any measurable economic damage

If this is the case, this constitutes the inappropriate use of the DCMA’s subpoena power. Abuse of the DCMA’s subpoena power to coerce, threaten, or harass (even third parties) is subject to sanctions.

–TG